THE Super Falcons have moved up eight spots in the latest FIFA ranking following their exploits at the recently concluded 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The nine-time African champions are now 32nd in the world from their previous 40th and remain the top team from the continent.
At the World Cup, which ended last Sunday, the Super Falcons defeated Australia, then seventh in the world, and drew with both Canada (No.10 at the time) and Ireland (22nd then) before losing on penalties to England (No.4 at the time, still No.4) in the round of 16.
The other African teams at the World Cup, South Africa, Morocco and Zambia, also rose.
South Africa climbed nine spots to 45th in the world and second in Africa, Morocco moved up from 72nd to 58th in the world and fourth in Africa, and Zambia rose from 77th to 69th.
The last Women’s World Cup was the first edition ever in which all the African teams won at least one match each, and only Zambia failed to reach the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, Sweden, who reached the semi-finals in Australia and New Zealand, have become the No.1 team in the world for the first time, up from second place.
The previous world No.1 United States of America, who were knocked out in the round of 16 by Sweden, dropped to third, while new world champions Spain rose to second spot from sixth.
Australia slipped one spot to 11th despite reaching their first-ever Women’s World Cup semi-finals, while Olympic champions Canada fell from seventh to 10th after crashing out in the first round.
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